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Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival, the 1st of which was recorded in 1268. Traditionally, they were allowed to wear masks between St. Stephen's Day (December 26), the start of the carnival season, & midnight on Shrove Tuesday. Since masks were also allowed during Ascension, & from October 5 to Christmas, Venetians could spend a large portion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws & their own guild. After Austria took control of the city in 1798, the city fell into a decline & carnival celebrations were brought to a halt for almost two centuries. Carnival was also outlawed by the fascist government in the 1930s. It was not until a modern mask shop was founded in the 1980s that Carnival enjoyed a revival. Today, Carnival starts about two weeks before Ash Wednesday & ends on Shrove Tuesday. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_of_Venice
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Western Europe
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